Russia ready to render assistance to Algeria hit by earthquake

The Russian Emergencies Ministry has not yet received a response to its proposal to render assistance to Algeria, which was hit by an earthquake, said a representative of the ministry's information department.

"We have offered to send to Algeria equipment and experts from the Tsentrospas unit, which have a significant experience of rescue works in similar conditions," the spokesman said.

If Algeria decides it needs Russia's assistance, its exact parameters and dates will be coordinated later, he explained.

The earthquake with a 6.7 magnitude on the Richter scale occurred in Algeria late on Wednesday. Its epicentre was in the Mediterranean Sea area, 70-80 km from the country's capital, Algiers. The city of Rouiba, situated 30 km to the east of the capital, suffered most. There the earthquake destroyed most of the city districts.

According to the official information of the Algerian television, 536 people were killed and over 4,800 injured in the earthquake.